Travel Thoughtfully

What is a Carbon Footprint?

Every activity that uses energy from fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal creates CO2, the greenhouse gas which many scientists believe is making the earth too warm and causing our climate to change. Our carbon footprint is the total amount of CO2 we create in our lives, from the fuel we put in our car, the oil, gas or coal we use for cooking and keeping our homes warm or cool, or the buses, trains and planes we take to travel.

Sometimes air travel is the quickest and more affordable way to reach our destination, but it emits more carbon than any other human activity and creates a warming effect that contributes to climate change.

Should I Offset My Carbon Footprint?

"Carbon offsetting is not a solution but only a band-aid that gains us time. When people buy carbon offsets, some think that their emission did not 'matter'. However, the plane still took off and added carbon into the atmosphere. What the offset does is help someone else reduce their emissions. This is a relative benefit compared with the alternative scenario where the flight happens and the traveller still emits carbon as well. It is an improvement, but it will not get us to net zero. That will only be achieved if people fly less. It is still my view that if we have to fly (or emit carbon for any other activity), it is better to offset than not offset. And that is where it is critical that the provider has integrity. To my knowledge, SouthPole does."

Note: Future upgrade will include features to offset ground travel and an accounting dashboard.

What are Carbon Offset Projects?

Carbon offset projects are registered under a carbon scheme to ensure international standards are met and verified by an independent 3rd party. They are financial tools and they help businesses cross economic hurdles and create resources for projects. It helps first nation economies transfer from diesel to biofuels or solar, saves forests and protect wildlife, improve livelihoods and so much more.

Where Does My Money Go?

Around 80% of the money you invest in carbon offsetting goes to the project you choose to support, while the remaining 20% is used by South Pole to cover development, monitoring, credit issuance, administrative costs and a 2% share for NOW is donated directly to EarthCheck Research projects that positively impacts the tourism industry.

Why should we care?

We live in one planet and our future will depend on how much we care for our communities and our environment. Our actions and carbon footprint will affect others on the other side of globe. We are totally connected to the natural world and our highest responsibility must be to take care of the systems that take care of us.

Invest inCarbon Offset Projects

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Tips To Reduce Your Travel Carbon Footprint

Avoid flying whenever you can. Fly shorter distances. Fly economy class, each flyer’s share of a flight’s carbon emissions is less because it’s spread out over more people. Don’t fly on private jets. Don’t be a space tourist. Virtually any other means of transport is more sustainable – especially shared and public transportation.

If you have to travel by air, make sure to offset your carbon footprint

Choose to stay in an accommodation with an accredited sustainability programme and certification. Choose properties that uses renewable energy (cuts down on fossil fuels) and participate in a Carbon Offsetting Programme.

If booking through a travel agent, use one that is committed to responsible low impact travel

Eat at hotels / farms / restaurants that serve local produce (the fewer food miles, the better) – even
better choose places that grow their own produce.

Consider adopting a plant-based diet – animals (especially cows) are known to produce high levels of
methane and greenhouse gases, and are often transported far. Choose to decrease the methane and food miles by going easy on the meat.

At home, there are lots of opportunities to reduce travel carbon by carpooling, biking, walking, shopping online, telecommuting or using other transit options.

South Pole

South Pole is a leading global sustainability solutions provider and developer of emission reduction projects, with over 250 experts in 15 countries across the globe. Initially founded as a developer of climate protection projects, with over 500 projects developed world wide, South Pole is now offering a broad set of solutions encompassing GHG accounting, corporate sustainability strategy advisory in alignment with the Paris Agreement, renewable energy solutions as well as carbon offsetting services for companies and individuals.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING URGENT CLIMATE ACTION NOW.

Offsetting the carbon footprint of your air travel contributes to combatting climate change and its impact on our planet, and help change lives for the better. Your action contributes to Climate Action - Sustainable Development Goal 13 set out by the United Nations.

We will send you an email with a Certificate of Climate Action noting the carbon offset project, location and the amount invested.

Thank you once again and we hope you will inspire others to do the same.

Carbon Offset Projects

Kariba Redd+ Forest Conservation

Saving forests & protecting wildlifeGuatemala

Forests for Life, a REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) pilot project in Guatemala that reduces deforestation in the National Park, while conserving biodiversity and strengthening 10 local communities within the boundaries of the national park.

Carbon Offset Projects

Gunung Salak Geothermal Energy

Clean & renewable energy Indonesia

Utilising volcanoes to generate clean geothermal electricity in Indonesia. This project upgrades the capacity of an existing geothermal plant, significantly increasing its efficiency. The power plant, the first of its kind in Indonesia, now generates even more clean, renewable energy, while improving the livelihoods of surrounding local communities.

Carbon Offset Projects

Forests for life

Saving forests and improving livelihoods Zimbabwe

A REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) pilot project in Zimbabwe. The Kariba project ensures that 784,987 hectares of forest and wildlife on the southern shores of Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba are now protected. By connecting these four national parks and eight safari reserves, this project area forms a giant biodiversity corridor, ensuring the protection of an expansive rainforest and numerous vulnerable and endangered species.

Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin is proud to offer guests who book direct through
itmustbeNOW.com a special and exclusive experience

Best direct booking rate (10% discount)

Priority early check-in and late check-out based on availability

Room upgrade based on availability

Complimentary internet in guest room and public areas

Special local amenity

Use Promo Code
NOW

NOW does not charge a commission so booking direct can benefit you more. Remember to return to NOW Offset Carbon to offset your air travel carbon footprint. Click on BOOK DIRECT NOW and we will link you to the direct booking page of the property. Have a wonderful time!